My daughter has returned to Automatic Studios vacation after vacation, summer after summer, day workshop after day workshop from the time she was in the third grade. As she has gotten older and her camp experiences have reduced here in the city due to growing independence, starting overnight camp, and narrowing interests (she's in sixth grade now, and dance and sports obsessed) Automatic Studios is a camp she continues to adore. Che and her crew are passionate about what they do, and genuinely love sharing their joy of filmmaking with children. Our daughter has learned about filmmaking, used authentic equipment, been part of the creative process and this camp has pushed my fairly shy and retiring child's comfort zone in a positive way that helped build courage and confidence. We have recommended Automatic Studios to our daughter's friends, and I have also recommended it to my fourth grade students. The final product is always polished and impressive - presented in a small theater on the big screen, and the kids are given the opportunity to share and debrief with their audience and talk about the process and their experience. Perhaps one of the most salient moments of our daughter's young life was when the film she created at Automatic Studios the summer before third grade was selected to be presented at the TriBeCa Film Festival in a selection of shorts made by children. Our girl got to walk the red carpet with her fellow castmates, view the film as part of a collection of short films, and then take the the stage and be interviewed as filmmakers. What a fantastic, validating experience! We have nothing but positive things to say about Che, her staff, and this program and experience. Your children will LOVE it. read more

My 14 year old son has been a film student at Automatic Studios since they opened their doors. The students benefit immensely from the experience and knowledge of the kind and committed staff. The experiences he has had and the skills he has learned while making ten different films is extraordinary. He thinks of Automatic Studios as a second home. My son has even had the exciting opportunity to walk down the red carpet and sit in a director's chair at the Tribeca Film Festival twice. The films created by the students at Automatic Studios from start to finish, with the expertise and guidance of the staff, are top notch and professional. We are always blown away by what the students are able to accomplish in a week when the films are screened for the families. My son has been an actor since he was young and has the chance to act in the films the kids produce, which he enjoys, but his greatest passion is being behind the camera and learning the many skills required to be a professional filmmaker, which he hopes to be one day. Matthew is not only CITing at camp this summer but is taking an advanced master class to continue to hone his skills. read more

Our girls have gone to summer camp at Automatic Studios three years in a row (the two week program, and then two, two week master classes), as well as numerous one day classes and birthday parties. It is a phenomenal way to learn the art of writing for film and filmmaking, collaborate with other kids, have fun, and make a movie! The kids write (most of the time - for the one day programs it is largely written before hand), direct, produce, do the lighting and sound, and star in their own film. They have the real deal equipment, and professionals on staff who all work in film and love kids. Getting to watch their film up on a "big screen" in a screening room is one of my favorite things! One of their films even went to the Tribeca Film Festival (kids section). I cannot recommend Automatic Studios enough! read more

My third grade daughter has attended camp and afterschool programs and held her birthday party at Automatic Studios. She enjoys every aspect of the experience, and I think she's proud to be trusted with the professional responsibilities given to each child participant (from operating the boom and camera equipment, to directing and composing storylines). She enthusiastically goes back for more whenever she can, and she has started bringing her work home, so-to-speak. When we are watching television or movies, she often points out techniques that are being employed, such as use of green screens. The staff at Automatic are professional, highly qualified and great with kids. It's an all-around terrific experience. read more

My ten year old daughter thinks this camp is amazing. She did a week last summer, she did a one day camp on Election Day and she is doing another week this coming summer. The staff are warm and friendly, she got to act, to be a camera operator, to be a boom operator, to be part of writing a script, etc. etc. This camp is about introducing the kids to the process of making film and making that process fun! Your chid won't come out a filmmaker (consider film school for that), but he or she will come out with an appreciation for how a film is made and how a film crew works. Plus, your child will have a lot of FUN! Isn't that what camp is for? I highly recommend camp with Automatic Studios. read more

Che and her team at Automatic Studios are top of the class, A-list, teachers, mentors, and filmmakers. They break down the highly technical and detail orientated process filmmaking for the kids and make it fun every step of the way. Automatic Studios gives kids both practical knowledge and know how AND a lot of agency to create and express themselves artistically. The kids are the genuine authors of their films. I was blown away by the end results. How they get all that work done in just 5 days is astonishing. I can't recommend this program more highly. I'm sending my daughter to Automatic Studios this summer for the third year in a row. She can't wait and neither can I! read more

My 5th grade son has gone to Automatic Studios every year for summer camp since it opened. He loves it so much he insists on going back every year. He learns all aspects of film making. He writes scripts, acts, uses camera equipment, green screen for special effects, editing and works collaboratively with his peers. He has so much fun while he learns, creates and most of all makes movies for us all to view at the end of camp. A truly unique learning experience. Che and her team are pros in the field and know how to make learning fun and exciting. Highly recommend! read more

We've sent our son to Automatic Studios' camp program four times over the last two years, starting in fourth grade, and we've just started sending our third grade daughter. They love this program! Each time they come back with a finished project, having written, directed and acted a short film. The props and effects/green-screen let them to imagine and produce just about anything. The screening event is great - so much fun hearing the kids do a q&a about their work in the theater. The staff have been wonderful with the kids. Highly recommend this program. read more

We've sent our 10 year-old to week-long camps as well as day camps at Automatic Studios for the past couple of years, essentially since the time they first opened their doors, and it's really one of the greatest gems of Brooklyn--fabulous instruction, great counselors, a wonderful and positive vibe, and you can't believe the quality of work these kids create (and I say that not only as a proud parent, but as a trained film historian!). I will continue to send my kid every chance I get. It's a remarkable experience and one that my kid will remember forever. read more

Your child(ten) will love Automatic Studios! My son has participated in numerous workshops and camps at Automatic Studios over the last two years. Most recently, he attended a one day workshop on Martin Luther King Day. Che, Peter and the entire Automatic Studios staff have a passion for what they do and totally engage the children in all elements of the filmmaking process, including writing, directing editing. The camp "ends" with a screening of the children' film, in a theater. My son will be returning this summer for a two-week master class camp. read more

My son has attended summer camp for two years so far and absolutely loves Automatic Studios. No doubt he will be back this year! It is truly one of the most unique programs we have come across. The kids have a chance to invent the story, act the roles and rotate through the professional movie making equipment. The final product, a movie short, is screened to the family audience on the last day followed by a fantastic Q and A with the young film makers. A truly incredible experience for the kids! read more

This camp is amazing. The teachers have real world experience combined with real pedagogical ethos! They really imparted a good sense of collaborative film culture on my child. She recently was admitted to an arts HS and her film with AS allowed the reviewers to see her ability to play on a team. She also could showcase skills in using green screen, sound, camera, lighting, costume, lighting and more. She also had a ball! Unforgettable summer experience. read more

My daughter has always enjoyed attending camp at Automatic Studios. The camp is a hands on experience that takes kids through each stage of the filmmaking process, all with the support of knowledgable, seasoned professionals and excellent guest speakers. Automatic Studios treats the kids with respect, encouraging them to take responsibility for the process and work together to create piece of work they can be proud of. Can't recommend it highly enough. read more

Automatic Studios is a great intro into the wonderful world of filmmaking! It focuses on the fun parts of filmmaking, while the apt staff cover all of the tedious, technical aspects. The staff are wonderful people, and a pleasure to work with, and are always sharing filmmaking tips and tricks with you from their professional backgrounds in the world of film. All in all, would highly recommend to youngsters looking to make a movie and have fun! read more

My daughter loves this camp! And as a parent, I appreciate the incredible dedication and quality of the staff. They have created a unique environment of creativity and ownership of the projects that the kids work on. My daughter always has such pride in all the projects she has been a part of at the camp. She asks to go back to this camp every year! Their facilities are top notch as well. No hesitation in giving 5 stars! read more

My daughter attended summer camp and loved it so much that we decided to hold her 13th birthday party there. The automatic team was super easy to work with and offered suggestions that helped make the party a huge success. The best part of the day was when the owner insisted that my husband and I leave to go get a drink and relax! Highly recommend this for classes, summer and holiday camp as well as birthday parties. read more

My son had many incredible experiences at this camp! The Automatic staff is amazing and the way they work with kids to empower their creativity and confidence is truly inspirational! To see the look of pride on my son's face at the first screening of the film he created at the camp was a beautiful moment I will always be so grateful! I highly recommend this camp. read more

Both of our girls have been going to Automatic Studios for the past three years. The amount of knowledge they gained about the film industry and how it works has sparked an interest that have them writing and directing short films with their friends. The amount of work they do in a week to produce a film is incredible! read more

My 12 year old has done this camp a few times (both summer and one-day camps) and has always had a wonderful time and learned a lot about filmmaking. Very well run camp -- they have a passion for what they do and bring out the best in the kids. Highly recommend! read more